Automakers Develop Universal Charger for EVs

Seven major automakers with plans to build EVs announced their support for a single rapid charging protocol in an effort to achieve simplicity for owners and manufacturers alike.

Audi, BMW, Daimler, Ford, GM, Porsche and Volkswagen have all signed on to the Combined Charging System, which was announced at the Society of German Engineers’ 15th International Electronic Systems for Motor Vehicles Conference yesterday. That means all their future EVs will feature a single plug capable of one-phase AC charging, rapid three-phase AC charging, at-home DC charging or ultra-fast DC charging at public charging stations.

Additionally, the automakers agreed that future EVs would rely on the HomePlug Green PHY specification for smart grid communication. That protocol supports 10 Mbit/s data transfer over power lines, and can interface with smart meters, home appliances and home thermostats, paving the way for off-peak charging incentives and universal smartphone apps that remotely set the climate of your home and your car.

For the EV owner, this will simplify the number of plugs on board — they’ll be no separate connector for rapid charging, or special cord for topping off at wall outlets. As a result, the trunks of EVs won’t look like stockrooms at Radio Shack. Early adopters need not worry, as backward compatibility is guaranteed with the J1772 connector standard in North America and the EC 62196 Type 2 system in Europe. Public charging stations also will benefit, as they won’t have to worry about offering adaptors for owners of different brands of EVs.

The real benefit, however, is to individual automakers and the EV industry as a whole. With a universal plug, manufacturers can simplify supply chains, achieving efficiency and lower costs by sourcing and installing the same plug across model lines and brands. Designers can also breathe a sigh of relief, as they no longer have to find out ways to cram AC and DC charging outlets in a single panel.